Technology during nineteenth and twentieth centuries?

Question

Was the technology of the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century doing more harm than good to the average citizen of the world?

Answer 1

For the most part, new weaponry such as the machine gun did a lot more harm. World War I proves as much. But for the average citizen, new medical advances and nutritional advances did a world of good. Refridgerated box cars could transport meat, milk, and produce across large distances, greatly improving the health of a nation. Louis Pasteur had worked out his Germ Theory about that time, which did even more. Some advances (like the weapons and the automobile) would come back to haunt us, but not at the moment.

Answer 2

It kind of works both ways. Technology leads to many amazing things. Like microwave ovens and computers and nice cars. But it also leads to better weapons and other hazards like pollution. So it's probably and even split in general.